Jon’s Top 5 Books of 2021
I read like 15 books in a span of 5 months. Felt god damn illiterate each book I read lol.
Reading is a relaxing way to consume content, without a screen (though eReaders exist) in a way where really you make the imagery in your own head. Some people don’t like reading because of this, they think its boring, or simply can’t fucking read. I started reading pretty often at the start of the year, I used to love reading when I was a kid. I remember one time in like grade 1 when they asked what one of my hobbies were, reading was one of them. Fucking loser lmao. There was a point thereafter where I kinda stopped reading often and move on to videogames, which is kinda the culprit of why young folks don’t read much anymore but I digress. I play videogames often and still have somewhat some time to read. It’s just something people learn along the way to do I think.
Anyways, I don’t really have top books I loved to read. I would say 1984 is probably my most read book, and before that I only really read the Captain Underpants series. I read a bit in highschool but mostly for school purposes, only a few actual leisure reading. I mostly read political science, non-fiction books, especially this year because I want to learn more. I think I was somewhat successful with that.
This year I read about 15 books in a span of 5–6 months. The heavy reading starting at around the end of my school semester or around March I started reading a lot. Here are the top 5 I think were the best reads:
Honourable mention:
If you are a poetry fan, buy my friend’s book My Heart is Hungry by Grace Micallef. There are some great works in there, one of my favourite is Daffodil. PLEASE GO CHECK HER OUT!
5. Basic Income: And How We Can Make It Happen by Guy Standing
This book was something I found while strolling Indigo, I’ve always been proponent of UBI (Universal Basic Income) even before the pandemic, we actually got a taste of that during the start of the pandemic when the Canadian Government actually paid folks to stay home. I believe this is one of the best ways to help everyone get a leg up. This book is a great introduction for people interested in learning about UBI, which I think all should strive for. One day maybe it’ll happen.
4. The Tatooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
I guess the only fiction book, it was inspired by real events however. I love war books, historical books. I remember telling this girl once about that and she said it was boring lmao.
I actually have had this book since 2019 but never really got much to it.
This book is a tale of two people essentially meeting during the worst time of all (the fucking Holocaust) yet somehow still finding love are able to grow. Its a great romantic read. I genuinely enjoyed the book.
3. Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky
This one is a classic banger. I actually read this in my senior year of highschool for my politics class. Now I keep this fucker in the passenger seat side of my car lmfao. This book is a great book on just information on the mass media, and to really take things with a grain of salt. I’m not one of those loons who think everything the media says is a lie. But we have to understand the biases that come with the content we see. Hell, did you guys know that most media is essentially owned by like 6 different conglomorates. Where mass media is owned by a small amount of people, there could be a distrust or breaking of trust in the authenticity of the media shown.
Anyways, probably one of my favourites overall.
2. Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few by Robert B. Reich
This book I started reading because of a Netflix mini-documentary special I watched (same name and all). Written by former US Secretary of Labour (under Clinton) and Short King, Robert Reich. This book is a great look into the damage that has been done by capitalism. The inequality of wealth is a huge issue in the world we have, driven by capitalism. The pursuit of it as our sole purpose in life drives us down. I’ve somewhat given up on capitalism, I think we need a socialist approach in all this. But this book is a great read (or watch) if you’re interested in making a difference in our society. I would definitely recommend this read to anyone that’s unsure if they’re a leftist or not, if you agree or understand of his words, you’re a progressive.
- Homelessness: How to End the National Crisis by Jack Layton
This is by far, the best read this year. The late Jack Layton is probably one of my heroes. His work with the NDP, which was unfortunately has been undone. Someone (probably not me) needs to bring that party back to it’s former glory. This book talks about the ONGOING homelessness happening in Canada. Jack talks about the legislature and policies that were removed and added that ruined the entire system. How there’s no federal help anymore and that it’s up to the provinces to take care of the unhoused. I learned that it was the Liberal party that cut funding on helping these folks out back in the 90s. And since then the crisis has been growing more and more. I believe if I ever was to become somewhat a person with political power, I’d start with homelessness, cause that shit is the most unnecessary thing in the world. We live in fucking Canada, a rich, developed nation and somehow we have hundreds and thousands of people, barely scraping by or not even having a home. Fuck that, the people deserve better.
I hope ya’ll can get the time to read some of these I really recommend them. Gonna infuriate you on how shitty things are in the world but will also make you strive to do better and do better for others.
Anyways, till the next time.
JA.
